Mold for concrete construction.



P. H. CLINKUNBROOIVIER. MOLD FOR CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

\ Patentedfiept. 11, 191?,

2 SHEETs-sHEEr s.

APPLFCATIO'N FILED MAR-.3. I915 P. H. CLINKUNBROOMER.

MOLD FOR CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION,

APPLICATION FILED MAR. a. 19x5.

Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

2' SHEETSSHEET 2- nnirnn lsrarns rarnirr er -men.

PETER H. GLINKUNBROOMER, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

MOLD FOR CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed March 8, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

:30 it known that I, Pn'rnn H. CLINKUN- nnoonnu, formerly a subject of the King of Great Britain and having heretofore renounced my allegiance thereto, have officially signified my intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, residing in Evanston, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Molds for Concrete Construction, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates in general to concrete construction and has more particular reference to the construction of stairs of concrete and like materials.

One of the principal objects of my invention is the pro-vision of a stair form adapted for the construction of concrete stairs of all of the general types, as for instance straight stairs, that is, stairs consisting of steps lead ing in a single direction from one level or platform to the next higher, curved stairs, that is, stairs consisting of a series of steps leading from one level or platform to the next higher about a curve which extends either from end to end of the stairs or only through a part thereof, and spiral or cylindrical stairs, that is, stairs consisting of steps arranged at succeeding heights radially about a common center.

It is generally the custom to construct forms for stairs of concrete and the like by providing a supporting platform inclined or shaped to determine the under surface desired and to provide temporary wooden riserdetermining members, hereinafter referred to merely as risers, for convenience, which are held in place by being fast to or embedded in the walls at the sides or by being held in place by stringers or other suitable boards cut away to form a plurality of large notches on their under sides, one wall of each notch being vertical and corresponding in height to the raise of the riser. Both of these methods of positioning the risers have been the source of considerable annoyance, waste of time and consequent eX- pense in the past which this invention has for its aim to eliminate. The method of securing the risers in place first described frequently resulted in inaccurately constructed steps, it having been found practically m possible to position the risers by embedding them in the side Walls or by securing them to the sides of the form if no Walls existed Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. illl, 191?. Serial No. 12,728.

Within a quarter or a half inch of accurate placement, particularly when this operation 1s performed by the ordinary workman or mechanic available. The result of the use of this manner of securing the risers resulted in the production of an uneven and frequently unsightly stairs and it had the decided further disadvantage that occasionally the temporary wooden risers became loosened or dislodged before the stairforming material had finally set, requiring thereafter the expenditure of considerable money to reconstruct the stairs in whole or in part. The objection to the second manner described for securing the risers in place is chiefly the difficulty of removing the risers after the body material of the stairs had set. its is well known to those skilled in the art, concrete stairs are constructed by first filling in as quickly as possible the body of the complete stairs and then after this material. has set and before it is dry the surfacing inaterial is applied. This is ordinarily performed by workmen beginning at the top and working toward the bottom, re moving successive risers as they finish the tread and riser surfaces of the steps, the temporary wooden risers below the steps being finished, serving to support the work man or workmen finishing the steps above them. The removal of these risers has required the sawing of the stringers with a small saw or some equally awkward operation to permit the removal of the riser.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a riser which may be readily re moved and which may be accurately positioned without the expenditure of the considerable time and effort heretofore generally necessary.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a riser which, with all of its retaining members, can be readily moved out of the way of the workmen as they finish successive steps of the stairs.

Prior to my invention the manner of positioning the risers has necessitated the waste of much material. both of the risers theinselves and of boards and the like required for their positioning. Indeed the expedients heretofore used for securing the risers in place have frequently rendered it necessary that all of the riser supporting structiire provided for the forming of single or series of stairs, be wasted, the forms used for one building rarely being capable of use in another. It is also an object of this inventlon to provide riser holding means which will have a universal application and which.

will. not be damaged by usage so thatthey may be used again and again with slight and simple adjustment.

A-furtherobject of this invention is the provision of means for supporting the entire stair form from above the stair level. through the utilizationof adjustable and readily removable supporting elements, thereby eliminating the necessity of providing any considerable false-work beneath the stairs and much simplifying the entire form and its installation.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a. stair of which a minimum number ofelements or members must-be ac curately. positioned, these elements being so constructed and arranged that such positioning may be readily accomplished with little chance of error, the parts of the whole form being so constructed and arranged that thesemembers having once been placed. the other members of the form will take automatically accurate positions with respect thereto.

Astill further object of the invention is the provision of a stair form in which the risers will be firmly secured in. place before and during the formation of the stairs. so that the workmen may stand and walk upon them without danger of evil results.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the .following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a sectional view of ZL'COllClGiIC stair in the course. of construction in a form embodying my invention;

- portion thereof;

Flg. 7 is an enlarged side GlQVfttlOIlxOf one of theside clamps;

Fig. 8 isa front elevation of the same;

9 is a partial. enlarged view of an end of one of the center clamps;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of. one of the supporting rods employed in the portion of the stairsshown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 11 is a diagrammaticplan view of a towerstairs selected in order tOrShQW general application of my invention.

F or the purpose oflllustrating myinvention I have shown it emliiodied in preferred apparatus and shown ll] its application, it

being umlerstood that-the various portions allforma part of one general stair-case,

such for example as is frequently provided in monuments and the like where there is a straight entrance stairs turning at right angles withthe platform, ascending a few stairs further and then turning in a wide curve, as shown inFig. vhand from; there merging; into an ascending spiral, as seen in Fig. 5. The complete arrangement is shown diagrammatically inFig. 11, in which it will be understood that the part A. is the straight entrance portion of the stairsturning at B, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, andagain. at C. as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 6, and again at D with a long curve, as shown in F 4, which merges at E into the ascendingspiral shown in Fig. 5. The various portions of the stairs require no change in the structure in the form parts but jmerely a slightly different arrangement ,of the supports and the additioninsomeinstances. of further members. Throughout the entire structure supports from above are provided to sustain the forms and these supports consist ,ofstringers 21 and plates 20 and 20, from which members to be later described depend and engage both the temporary under supporting parts and the risers, it being considered in the present instance-that the. sides of the stairs are determined by concrete or other suitable walls which, as they form no part of the present invention, are not shown upon the drawings. The stringers 21 may be arranged in a variety of ways, depending upon convenience and the particular form of the stairs orstair sec tions to be constructed. In the stairs shown on the drawing, the, stringers for the straight stair sections rest on suitable supports at their ends. These supports may be either succeeding floor levtls or;'they may be pro- I vided by tightly securing the ends of the stringers to suitable walls or indeed they may be provided in any desired fashion. In Figs. land 2 it will be noted that three such stringers tare provided. which are arrangedin parallelism and inclinedto the horizontal at the angle ofthe stairs. The two outer stringers 21 in Figs. 1 and 2 carry a plurality of stringer clamps 22, one on each stringer for each riser, these clamps being spaced apart at appropriate distances to bring the riser which it supports,,as will be later describechto desired position. The stringer clamps 22 in the present instance each comprise a topplate 23 and bottom plate Qtand two connecting bolts 25 passing through the platcsQS and 24and-upon opposite sides of the stringer, nuts 26 being provided to firmly'secure the clamp in position. An eye-holdingadjusting plates? positioned upon the bolts 25 beneath the bottom plate 24, suitable lock nuts 28 being provided on bolts 25. This plate carries an eye 29 having a threaded stem 31 extending through the plate 27 and held in place by a nut 32 (Fig. 7 As will be later described, the lock nuts 28 are provided to permit adjustment of the plate 27 to bring the eye to proper position if the stringer to which the clamp is secured be Warped or out of line at the clamp receiving portion for other reasons.

The risers 33 are shown in the figures in operative position and each is held by a pair of riser holders to be now described, which holders are engaged at their upper ends in the eyes 27 of two companion clamps or hangers 22. In the present embodiment of the invention these holders or hangers are all of identicalconstruction and a description of one of them will apply to the others. Referring more particularly to Fig. 7 it will be noted that the holders or hangers, which form sustaining or supporting means for the risers, comprise a pair of arms 34 and 35 held together by clamps 36, one of these arms, 34, being secured by a swivel connection 37 with a hook member 38 engaged in an eye 29. The lower arm 35 carries a riser clamp 39 which engages an end of the riser 33. This clamp is provided with jaws 41 and 42 which engage the upper and lower edges respectively of the riser, suitable teeth 43 being preferably provided to enter the riser and tightly hold it in place. The upper jaw 41 is fixed with respect to the member 35 and is constituted of a shoulder 44 from which its tooth 43 extends. The jaw 42, however, is removable and consists in the present instance of a head 45 carrying teeth 43 and an upwardly extending shank 46 into which is threadeda securing bolt 47, this bolt taking into a slot 48 extending lengthwise ofa shoulder 49 upon the back of the arm The arm 35 may, if desired, also be pro vided with wings 51 and 52. The wing 51 is pivotally mounted at 53 upon the arm 35 and. is provided with teeth 54 adapted to enter the face of the riser remote from the step. The wing 52 is perforated at 55 for the reception of nails which may be driven into the riser if desired and similar apertures 56 can be provided in the wing 51. However, the wings may be omitted or they may be used without the lower jaws 42 in light work. V

The parts 34 and 35 which constitute the main support are made'adjustable longitudinally with respect to each other in order to obviate any necessity of providing the stringers 21 at accurate heights above the stairs under construction. and also in order that risers may be positioned around turns without requiring nicety of location of the stringers and also without requiring the provision of supporting means or riser holders of numerous lengths to meet different conditions. The clamps 36, while probably suflicient to hold the two parts or arms of the support together, may be aided or replaced by a slotted clamping connection shown in Fig. 7, which connection consists of threaded studs 57 provided in one part, as in the part 35, and taking through a slot 58 in the other part, nuts 59 being provided to turn down against the outer face of the part 34. If desired, the ends of the studs may be upset slightly after the nuts are in place, in which event the slot is enlarged as at 61 to permit passage of the nuts through the part 34 when it is desired to separate the arms.

The depending holders or hangers and the risers are held in fixed relation by being clamped together with links 62 and by braces 63. On the part 35 of each support is provided an upwardly extending, preferably cylindrical, stud 64 over which may be threaded an eye 65 of the link 62. This link extends outwardly over the next lower step and passes the next succeeding pair of arms 34 and 35 to which it is secured by clamp 67 embracing the link and embracing also the arms 34 and The link may or may not be provided with apertures 66 for the reception of a clamping screw. The chief purpose of making the studs 64 cylindrical is to enable the links to assume proper relations with the next riser suppor s where the stairs are built around a curve or corner, as seen in Fig. 4 and as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 6.

Braces such as indicated at 63 are provided in number to suit the desire of the particular user and extend at intervals from riser supports to the stringer, each being clamped at 68 to a riser support and secured to the stringer by a nail or otherwise as at 69.

The portion of the stairs shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be considered to be of considerable width and it is sometimes thought desirable to provide means for retaining the wooden risers in true position and thereby prevent warping or bencling of the risers in use. To this end the central stringer 21 is provided and center riser supports 71. best shown in Figs. 3. 8 and 9 are provided. It will be understood, however, that these riser supports may be used in light and cheap work in place of the supports already described. This support consists of a single supporting arm 72 nailed or otherwise secured at 7 to the stringer 21 and depending vertically downwardly to adjacent the riser It carries a clamping upper jaw 74, which is merely a pointed element held slidingly upon the supporting arm 72 and held in place by a bolt 7 5. The supporting arm carries at its end a lower jaw 76, which is also nerely a pointedelement having a plvotal connection at v77 with the lower end. of thesupporting. arm 7-2. The lower end of the supporting arm 72 is preferably slotted at 7 8 to, provide an additional means of,,adjustnient to accommodate risers of varying depth. A. brace 79 pivotally securedat 81 to the lower portion of the sup porting rod ,72 is nailed, orotherwise secured at 82 to. thestringer, as wide. an angle as possible being established between "the brace, 82 and. the supporting arm 72.

Fig. 6 the arrangement of thestringers for the. right ,angleturn of continuous steps isv shown. The, two stringers 21-. being provided as before, above and beneath the curve. It will be noted that, the left-hand stringer 21.is extendedtothe right-hand wall. of the stairs beyondthe curve asindicated at 83, whilethe.right-hand stringer 21 below the curvemay be-terminated at any point 84 abovethe upper parallel riser- 85 beneath the curve. A cross stringer 86 is provided. to. support the outer ends of the risers .87 ,onthe curve, the innerends of these risers being supported from ,the stringer 21,; either extending upto or up from; the curve.

When the stairs reach the point indicated at. D which is.the point where they pass around a wide curve, a. number of stringers 91, 92 and. 93, etc. are provided, thesestringers extending in any suitable fashion to bring them overproper points of support, it not being considered necessary, however, that these stringersposition.the clamps at the ends of the risers, it only beingrequired that they be suiiiciently near the ends to in sure against bending of the ends of the risers. Only .one side of the wide curve of the stairs is shown, it being understood that the other side is supported in similarmanner. ,The swivel connection between the riser supports and the hook members permit thestringer clamps 22.to be always posr tionedupon the. stringers in the same manner, and the clamping jaws brought -to proper relation by turning relatively thereto and the cylindrical formation of thestuds 6 1- ,on, the. lower, supporting arm permit the links 62 to come into desiredposition.

.Where the stairsare in spiral form I prefer to replace the fstringersby. riser hanger supports consisting of plates 20 and 20, as seen'in Figzb. :One of these plates 20. is of circular form and is disposed over the vertical .or centralaxisofthe spiral portion of the-stairsand the, plate 20,is of annular form, preferably arranged concentrically with the plate20. These plates are apertured at 101, theapertures in each plate corresponding in number, and position with the risers 83. Through each aperture 101 a riser hanger supporting member 102 is positioned. This .member consists, in the present in:

stance, .of two rods 104C and 105 adjustably connected together by a clamp 106. The upper rod .104: ,passes through an appro priate aperture .101 whereitis held by a nut 1103 and thedower rod ,105 carries .an eye 107 in which the .Lipper,.end or hook of theriser hanger may beengaged in the manner described in connection .with the clamps 2 2. 'lnptherrespeQIDs the arrangement of the. risers ancl 'the riserhangers is similar to that already described in eonnection with the other parts of the stairs.

My invention contemplates, the support of thejentire stair form from the, stringers or plates andvto thisendl provide rods 111 ,which arehooked at. their upper ends at 112 and engage overthe stringers orvthrough theapertures 101. The rods depend and extends through.- the temporaryjfioor 114; provided to determinethe. under, surface of the stairs. Ihelowerends of these rodscarry semi-cylindrical blocksllG which are held in place by nuts 1l5., blocks 116 take intoappropriaterecesses118 in washers 120 which are adapted. to bear against the floor or formsupports 117. ,Therod of course extends through the floor forming materials,

through. the. floor and through the floor supports 117. The block 116 establishes a full faced contact between its washer 1,20 and its retaining nut .115, bringing ;all .parts; thus into full faced engagement.

.Where risenhangers are used embodying my .inventio nit will. be manifest that the risers and the riser hangersmay be moved as a unit away fromthe stairs forv the purpose, of surfacing the tread and riser sur-- .face or the ;l angers themselves may be merely. removed. :The-lower-faces or edges of. the risers are cutaway at an angle as at 121; to permit finishing the, tread of a step before removingthe riser neXt above it. When the riser. hanger and clamp shown in Fig. 7 is useditis only necessary to turn the bolt 17 to loosenthelower jaw, remove this lower jaw and in fini'shingthe tread-fill the. relatively small recess occasioned byits use. In v finishin beneath the hanger shown in FigLS itis only necessaryto loosen the nut 7 7 lower the lowerj aw and turn, it back about its I pivotal connection.

.If desired, however, the riser maybe nasaaea' and stops placed thereon, the riser hangers engaged with the risers and then secured in the clamps. If the stringers are warped or bent the eye-holding plate 27 may be adjusted accordingly by movement of the bolts 25 and lock nuts 28. The temporary floor may be positioned before or after the risers and it is only necessary to this end to hook the rods 111 in the stops, thread them through the temporary floor supports, position washers 120, blocks 116 and nuts 115 when the floor may be laid in the usual manner. 1

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and a1: rangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

1 claim i 1. A form for concrete stairs comprising risers, stringers supported a substantial distanceabove said risers, and means depending from said stringers and rigidly holding said risers in position, said means being in dependently movable when the form is in placeto permit each riser to be disconnected independently of the others and while said others are in operative position to permit surfacing of the surface behind the riser.

2. A form for concrete stairs comprising risers, rigid supports a substantial distance above said risers, and riser hangers pivotally connecting said risers with saidsupports, said hangers being adapted to be swung from operative position to permit work upon the concrete surfaces formed behind said risers.

3. A form for concrete stairs comprising risers, rigid supports above said risers and riser hangers pivotally connecting said risers with said support to swing out of operative position to permit work upon the concrete surface formed behind said risers.

A. A form for concrete stairs comprising risers, a rigid support a substantial distance above said risers, riser hangers rigidly holding said risers in position and connected with said support and braces extending between appropriate riser hangers.

5. A form for concrete stairs comprising a stringer disposed a substantial distance above the stairs being constructed, a riser, a readily detachable clamp depending from said stringer and engaging said riser, and a brace for preventing movement of said clamp about its connection with said stringer.

6. A form for concrete stairs comprising a riser, a stringer above said riser, a readily detachable clamp engaging said riser and depending from said stringer, and a brace secured at one end to said clamp and at the other end to said stringer.

7. A form for concrete stairs comprising a riser and a clamp for holding the same, said clamp having jaws adapted to engage the top and bottom edges of said riser, and means for holding said riser and clamp in molding position.

8. A form for concrete stairs comprising a riser, a clamp for supporting said riser, said clamp comprising jaws adapted to engage the top and bottom edges of said riser, the jaw adapted for en agement with the bottom edge being pivotally mounted on the clamp and movable to an inoperative position without accompanying movement of the rest of the clamp or riser.

9. A form for concrete stairs comprising a riser, a clamp for supporting said riser and for holding it in position, said clamp having jaws for engaging the top and bot tom edges of said riser, the jaw engaging the bottom edges being removable without aifecting the position of said riser or said clamp.

10. A form for, concrete stairs comprising risers, stringers disposed above said risers and longitudinally adjustable means for adjusting said risers vertically and supporting them in position.

11. A form for concrete stairs comprising risers, and means for supporting said risers in position, said means comprising clamps adapted to engage the top and bottom edges of said risers, the parts of said clamps engaging the bottom edges of said risers being movable independently to permit surfacing beneath the risers without disturbing the risers and their supporting means.

12. A form for concrete stairs comprising risers, supports above said risers, bars extending downwardly from said support and clamps on the lower end of said bars for engaging said risers, holding them in position and supporting them from said supports, each of said bars comprising a plurality of parts adjustable longitudinally with respect to each other to vary the length of said parts.

13. A riser hanger comprising a body and upper and lower riser engaging jaws, the lower of said jaws being removable to inoperative position and from beneath a riser held in said hanger and this without efl'ect upon the other jaw.

14. A riser hanger comprising a body and upper and lower riser engaging jaws, the lower of said jaws being removable to inoperative position and from beneath a riser held in said hanger and this without efiect upon the other jaw, and means for holding said riser in said hanger when said jaw is moved to inoperative position.

15. A form for concrete stairs comprising arranged stringers, risers beneath said said; stairs about the connections of thehangers with said stringers a distance to permit surfacing of" the stairs.

1:6. A form for concretestairs comprising risers, riser hangers and risen hanger sup? ports to which. said hangers are pivotally connected, said. risers and the hangers con nccted thereto being movable bodily about the pivot-alt connection between said hangers and said hanger supports a. distance to, permit surfacing ofthe stairs.

17. A fiorm=for concrete stairs comprising risers, riser hangers and riserhanger clamps to which said hangers are pivotall y con:- nectedgsaid risers and the hangerseonnected thereto. being-movable bodily about thepinotal connection betweei'i. saidf hangers and said hanger clamps.

118: A form for concrete stairs comprising risers, riser hangers and riser hanger sup ports a substantial distanceabove said riser to which said hangers are pivotally con? nected, said risers and thehangers-connected theretobeingmovablebodily about the pivotal connection between said hangers and said hangensupports, anch means for: hold. ing said hangers against movement;

19. A form for concrete stairs comprising risers, risen-hangers, stringers w substantial distance'abovesaid risers, clampsembracing said stringers and: supporting: said hangers, saids clampsibeing adjustable longitudinally oh the stringers and toward and from the stringers to accurately position said risers. 20;. A form-for concrete stairs-comprising risers, riserhangers, stringersa substantial distance above said risers, clamps embracing said stringers, said clamps having top and bottom members adjustable toward and from each other and adjustable together-toward and from the connection between said clamps and said hangers to accurately position said! r-isersand to provide adjustments for inaccuracy in said stringerszand i'ntho position of said stringers.

21. Aform for concrete stairs=comprising supportslocated a substantial: di stance above the stairs tobe constructed, risers, means supporting saith risers from said supports,- saidi supports being positioned independ ently of theiriser, the" supporting means for theindividual risers being adjustable to accurately position the risers when supported from said supports.

22. A form for concretestairscomprising supports located a substantial distance above the stairs to be constructed, risers, means supporting said risers: from said supports, saidl supports being positioned independiently oi; the riser, the supporting" means for the individual risersbeing adjustable long-i:- tudinally oithemselves to accurately posi tion the risers when supported from said sup ports;

28: A: fonnr foriconcrete stains comprising supports located a substantia1. distance above the stairs to be constructed, risers, means supporting said" nisers: trom: saidl supports, said supports being positioned independiently of the riser, thesupporting means for the individual risers being adj ustablelongt tudinally of said supportsto) accurately p07 sition the risers when: suppontecb from said supports.

2a. formfor concrete stairs comprising at support located? a substantial distance above thestairstoibe constructed, a plural ity oil risers adaptedi to be arnan'ged ati diti'erentdistances beneatlr said support, and deer hangers engagingsaid support" and said risers, said hangersbeingadjustable to correspond in length towthe distance between said support and said risers.-

A. form forconcrete stairscomprising a riser,- a plurality of supports located a substantial distance above the stairs to be eonstructedi arranged at difi'eient distances above said risen,- a: risen hanger: for each support, said hanger beingengaged at one end withthe support and at theother with the riser.-

26. A form for concretestlairscomprising a, plurality oh supports located a: substantial distance above thestairs being constructed and angularly'disposed with respect to each other, nisens, andi riser hangensdepending from: said supports and engaging said risers:

Signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses;

PETER Hi @LI NKUNCBRL'OOMER;

Witnesses:

J i O. @Annnn'rnn, Esriinn AiisnA-Ms;

Gopies of this patent may be obtainedifon five scents each,- uy; addressing:theflflommissibnerofti atents.

WashingtoniDaGZ I 

